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Weather Cancels Final Round of Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate; Nallen Wins Individual Title

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Heavy rains canceled Tuesday's scheduled final round of the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate and Arizona junior Chris Nallen claimed individual medalist honors with a seven-under-par 135 total to win the event by one stroke.

Nallen, a native of Blairstown, N.J., carded an opening-round 69 (-2) and followed with a 66 (-5) in the day's second 18 holes to forge a one-stroke lead at 135 (-7) over a pair of players at 136. The sub-70 rounds were the 19th and 20th of his career, and his second-round 66 was one stroke shy of his career low. The win was the second of Nallen's career. He also won the U.S. Intercollegiate, April 21-22, 2001, in Palo Alto, Calif.

Nallen's stellar play came on the heels of the worst tournament finish of his career. At last week's Ping/Golfweek NCAA Preview, he shot a three-round 232 (+16) and finished tied for 49th place. His efforts placed the Wildcats in a tie for sixth place at 565 (-3). That total is the team's best 36-hole total of the season by 10 strokes. Clemson won the 12-team event with a 556 (-12) total.

Joining Nallen in the top-10 places was UA senior Reid Hatley. The Spokane, Wash., product equaled a career-low with a 67 (-4) in the opening round and finished tied for ninth place at 139 (-3). Freshman Blaine Peffley also placed in the top 30, ashis two-round total of 145 (+3) tied him for 27th.

Also competing for Arizona was junior Andy Connell, who tied for 35th place at 146 (+4) and sophomore Nathan Lashley, who tied for 46th place at 149 (+7). Arizona was without the services of senior Ricky Barnes, the reigning U.S. Amateur Champion, who is preparing to compete for the United States in the World Amateur Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 54-hole Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate was contested at the Old Overton Club, a par 71, 6,958-yard layout.

Arizona will next be in action on Nov. 8-10 at the GCAA Match Play National Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C.